Victoe popp



(No Model.)

V. POPP.

APPARATUS FOR WINDING AND SETTING CLOCKS.

Patented Apr. 10,1883.

Invmfir. WM 5 N. PETERS, nowum n m. wmimm n a UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

VICTOR POPP, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

APPARATUS FOR WINDING AND SETTSNG CLOCKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 275,700, dated April10, 1883.

Application filed August 24, 1880. (No model.)

Patented in France April 14, 1880, No. 136,123; in Belgium April 29,1880, No.

- 51,320; in England May 3, 1880, No. 1,808; in Germany May 5, 1880, No.13,618; in Italy June 10, 1850, and in Spain October To all whom it mayconcern:

Be it known that I, VICTOR POPP, of Paris, France, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Setting and Winding Clocksby Pneumatic or other Trans.

mission, of which the following is a specification.

The system of pneumatic transmission which has been heretofore inventedfor the distribution of time, and which is made the subject of sundrypatents, requires the use of special time-pieces. These time-pieces,inasmuch as they possess no motive power independent of the mechanismoperated by the compressed air, stop running when for any reason thepneumatic transmission fails. On the other hand, ordinary time-pieces orclocks have irregular movement, and consequently very rarely give theexact time. Attempts have been made to regulate these clocks by means ofelectricity; but notwithstanding such attempt-s the desired results havenot as yet been obtained.

The present invention has reference to the application of a pneumatic orsimilar system to the setting and winding of ordinary timepieces. Themechanism which is adapted to this end is operated by a bar whichreceives movement from a piston or bellows putinmotion by compressed airor other agent of transmission. It is composed of a series of leversactingthe one upon the train, the others on the winding wheels orbarrel.

In order that the invention may be fully understood. it will now bedescrihedin connection with the accompanying drawings, which form a partof this specification, and in which- Figure 1 represents a clockoperated by a weight provided with pneumatic winding apparatus Figs. 2and 3, a front and side view, respectively, of a clock-movement withpneumaticsettingattach-ment; and Figs. 4 and 5, respectively front andplan views of mechanism for simultaneously rewinding and setting aclock. The apparatus shown in the last two figures (4 and 5) embodiestheinvention in its most perfect and complete form, the settingmechanism being operated by the same cylin= der and piston which operatethe rewinding mechanism, instead of requiring a separate piston andcylinder, as shown in Figs.2 and 3.

Referring to Fig. 1, the motorwheel A, which acts on the train of theclock, carries on its axis a pulley,l3,over which passes the end lesschain (3. 0nd pulley, D, carrying a sling, E, to which is jointed theoperating-weight of the clock. The chain (J then passes over the pulleyF, under the pulley Gr, from which is suspended a weight for stretching.aid chain, and finally returns to pulley B by passing over the pulleysI l. I use in preference an endless or band chain, and provide thepulleys F and B with teeth in order to permit the chain 0 to act moreeasily. 0n the axis of the pulley F is fixed the ratchet J, on the teethof which the pawl K, carried by the lever L, acts. This lever turns upona fulcrum coincident with the axis 0 ofratchet J, and atits outer end isjointed to the connecting-rod M, through which movement is communicatedto it from piston M, inclosed in the cylinder M This cylinder is at itslower end in communication with the pneumatic system-that is, by one ofthe pipes by which compressed air is distributed from a central source.At every minute, or at other suitable intervals, the air sentthrough aconduit enters the cylinder M raises the piston M, and by means ofconnecting-rod M acts on lever L. By means of the pawl the lever Lengages the ratchet J and advances it one tooth, so that the toothedwheel F, mounted on the axis of the ratchet J, turns a certain distance,and consequently moves the chain 0 and raises the motor-weight. Thestop-pawl N maintains the ratchet J in the position in which it isplaced by the lever L. In consequence of this intermittent movement theclock is continually rewound, and the motorweight is sustained at theupper part of its course, so that if the communication of the clock withthe pneumatic system is interrupted it will continue to run a certaintime until the communication can be reestablished.

The settingattachment will now be described in connection with Figs. 2and 3.

\Vheel P, which carries the minute'hand, and

This chain passes under a sec' which, by means of wheels I 1? P movesthe hour-hand, engages with the wheel Q, carrying the plate R, in whichare a series of notches,l?t. When the minute-hand is fast or slow thecorresponding notch R which occupies the most elevated position on theplate It presents itself more or less obliquely under the finger S,carried by the lever S. The latter turns upon the axis 0, and is movedby the connectingrod T, jointed to the piston T which moves in thecylinder T At the proper time the compressed air is let into thecylinder T raises piston T, which by means of connecting-rod T acts uponlever S and depresses the finger S into the notch 11 which at the timeis below it. On account of the obliquity of the faces of the notches, itis forced to follow the movement of the finger S, so that the wheel Qplaces itself in the proper position, and brings the wheel I andconsequently the minute-hand, to the position corresponding to the exacthour. In the clock shown in the drawings, the diameter of the wheel Q;being double that of wheel P, and the plate 11 carrying four notches It,the clock will be regulated every half-hour. It will be seen that byvarying the proportion of the wheels I? and Q, and the number of thenotches It in the plate It as well, the clock or time-piece can beregulated at any determined interval.

Referring to Figs. and 5, the mechanism embodying both the rewinding andsetting attachments will now be described. Upon the axis of the wheel a,which carries the minutehand, is fixed the plate I), carrying twonotches, c, diametrically opposite. The compressed air enters thecylinder apparatus and acts upon the lever d, carrying the pawl c, whichacts on the wheel f, having thirty teeth. The axis of wheel f carries.the lever g, on which is fixed the pin it. The latter at each revolutionof said wheel-that is to say, at each half-hour-stril:es the outer endof lever 2 having its fulcrum atj. This lever i carries at its oppositeend a finger, 7:, that enters the notch c which at the time is above it,and, sliding on the faces of the notch, brings the plate Z), andconsequently the minute-hand, into the position corresponding to theexact hour. The lever d carries, moreover, a second pawl, I, which actson a ratchet, on, which latter, by means of a pinion and toothed wheel,acts upon the barrel and winds the motor-spring of the clock. A secondlever, d, provided with a pawl, l, and moved by a bar, on, attached to asecond piston, could be adapted to act on a ratchet, a, and rewind thestriking mechanism.

In all the apparatus heretofore described pistons have been shown asmeans for producing the necessary movements; but it is evident thatbellows acting upon levers could also be used, these acting by means ofbars, con necting-rods, or through other suitable means.

Having thus fully explained the invention and the manner of carrying thesame into effect, what I claim is- 1. The combination, with a clockmechanism operated by a spring, weight, or other suitable power, ofrewinding mechanism comprising a pneumatic cylinder and piston, anddevices, as indicated, for communicating motion from said piston torewind the said weight or spring, so that said spring or weight operatescontinuously to drive said clock mechanism, substantially as described.

2. The combination,substantiallyas setforth, with a clock driven byweight or similar power, of a pneumatic cylinder and piston, andhandsetting mechanism operated by the said piston through devices asindicated.

3. A clock mechanism driven by a weight or similar power, in combinationwith rewinding and hand-setting devices operated by impulses transmittedat determined intervals, the same impulses serving to operate both therewinding and hand-setting devices, substantially as described.

4. The combination of a weight or spring, ratchet-disk, pawl, lever,piston, and connecting-rod, for raising said weight or rcwinding saidspring, substantially as described.

5. The combination, with a plate connected with the clock mechanism andprovided with notches, of a setting-finger, and means, as indicated,forforcing at determined intervals the said finger to enter said notches,and thus insure the correct position of the plate, substantially asdescribed.

6. In aclock, the combination, with a ratchet disk, pawl, and lever, forrewinding the motor weight or spring, of setting mechanism operated by apin or projection on said disk, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

VICTOR POII.

Witnesses:

GEO. H. SOIDMORE, OH. I\'IARDELET.

IOC

